The Voices of the Media

The dreaded speaking points!

Many flinch when asked to provide speaking points for an interview or a potential interview. The resistance that comes up is akin to school homework. The excuses we hear are, "I don't have enough time" "It takes too long" "We never get feedback, so what's the point?"

And from my perspective, I am astonished by the trepidation that lead to so many missed opportunities. Every request for your point of view, is an opportunity to put your signature imprint out into the world - out through the media. Isn't that what it's about? Isn't that what your communication purpose is - to offer your take?

In the time it takes to compose the email to our staff that lists the reasons 'why' you can't perform the task, I assure you, the job could have been done. After all, it's rarely a pop quiz on anything except what you know and do all day every day.

From the seat we take, we scratch our head and wonder - if they can't handle this, how are they going to handle the bigger things that come up?

Relax and in*joy the process!

What it means to have your A-Game!

I've written about this for awhile. Much of this topic for me became the content for my book this year, "Heartfelt Marketing: Allowing the Universe to Be Your Business Partner." So if it sounds like I'm beating the same drum, forgive me; however, I implore you to read closely. What is the A-Game? We play matchmakers for a living. We match media opportunity with the right expert. We do this all day long, every day! For the most part, WE LOVE IT! When it gets sticky for us, is when we witness a level of 'unwillingness' disguised in it's many forms, get in the way of the opportunity. Often times it sounds like this, "I wish they gave me more notice" "How much does it pay" and we get a lot of "Only if...." with a list of conditions that follow. It shows up as a correction on the part of the offer, as if it "should be this way, then..." Please don't mistake the idea of acquiring information from listing conditions. Acquiring information is the name of the game. Listing conditions, folds the process.

I often think about Ellen DeGeneres - talk about being on her A-Game. And when the opportunity came along to add "American Idol" to her already successful daily tasks of duties - she said "yes." Ultimately, it wasn't right for her, but she showed up. She's an extraoridinary example of the A-Game.

In our world, the folks that are willing to show up - big and small - absolutely, unequivocally succeed. Maybe not in their desired timing, but I always see them pop. It's one of the most gratifying parts of our work. The folks that like the idea of the outcome, but aren't engaged in the process - usually spin at why it's other people's fault they haven't been given the "prescribed right" opportunity. Or, the other tactic of - throwing conditions in the way of the process instead of allowing an opportunity to completely unfold until all the information is available to make have the privilege of making a fair choice.

Why do I care to write about this, so often. I genuinely want people to succeed, and I want to continue to succeed. I observe the dynamics as take home information for me, to review the check list for myself when opportunity presents.

How to get the attention of a booker?

“To get booked in a flash, you need a pitch that sells, and to generate a pitch that sells, you need a sharp, catchy hook. Like all techniques we cover in this book, ultimately, this all boils down to you. Your hooks and angles can change all the time. They can change based on season, current trends in science or popular culture, or for the specific show you hope to be on soon. So you can have multiple hooks at hand, but they have to be time sensitive and show sensitive.A hook is the twist that is applied to your pitch. For example: Extreme Makeover Home Edition is a twist on Extreme Makeover. The pitch? The show that gives your home a facelift.Also, think of yourself as a brand name. Rich Dad, the Love Doctor, the Fitness Gourmet, Sherlock Bones, to name a few brands.Show a producer your press kit. A press kit is your visual calling card. Your press kit is an informational package that you send out to media outlets. It contains newspaper clippings about you, your bio, an edited reel of your appearances on other shows, photo, and press release.The more focused your brand name, the easier it will be to sell yourself and Get on TV."